Michael A
We got a Samsung 32" HDTV (New Version) but we only have Basic Cable Channals right now (Not HD or Digital) but the channels are coming out blurry or a bit out of picture. Will this change when we get HD and Digital and what do we need to improve the picture or get when we get digital and HD? Also are the Digital all in HD or is it only the HD listed ones? Are digital Channels going to come out a lot better than Basic? Do we need a HDMI cable? DO we need a HD Box and does it convert?
Answer
Your picture quality will change for the better when you get HD.
When you get HD you will need to connect the set top box to the TV with either Component or HDMI cable. Component uses the 3 connectors (that are usually marked with red, green, and blue). HDMI is a single cable.
Digital broadcast does not mean HD. The cable company transmit in digital so they can give you more features and/or channels. You will need a set top box that will send HD format to your TV.
You don't necessarily need an HDMI cable to view HD. Component cables can carry an HD signal too up to 1080i which is the highest that the cable company will broadcast. HDMI can carry 1080p which some HD DVD players or HD Video Game Consoles can produce.
Having an HD box is a vast improvement over the standard box, especially if you have a bigger screen.
In the meantime, until you get your HD box, there are a couple minor adjustments you can make to your TV setup. The first is to switch cables if you need to and the second is to check the calibration of your TV.
Switch to component cables if your box has component output. If your box doesn't have component output, check to see if you have S-video outputs. S-video is better than the one yellow RCA looking connector that is called composite. The worst setup you can have is to connect the TV to the box with a coax cable. Step up to either S-video or the 3-signal component (better).
Next, slip in a video test pattern disk. You probably already have one and don't know it. Any DVD with the THX logo on it will have the video test patterns (e.g. Disney's Ice Age 2). Go into the setup menu and choose "THX optimizer". You want to check your set for contrast, brightness, and color. The brightness and contrast are interactive. Think of the intensity of each pixel on your TV as a number from 1-10. If the contrast and brightness is off, you many not get the full range of intensity your set is capable of. The contrast changes the overall range and the brightness offsets it. For example, if your contrast is set too low to say, in this example an 8, you may only be able to display 8/10 of the possible intensities. Setting the brightness up may allow you to see the intensities from 3 to 10 or setting the brightness too low will allow you to see intensities from 1 to 8.
The video test pattern of THX Optimizer shows a white rectangle within a black background. Inside the white rectangle are 8 separate squares of different shades of white. The contrast should be as high as possible while still being able see the 8 separate squares. The contrast is interactive with brightness. The brightness test pattern has 10 shades as well and if the brightness is correct only 7 should be visible, with the 7th just barely visible. You'll have to go back and forth between the two adjustments and narrow in on the correct setting. You'll know you are done when you don't have to tweak either one. Then you're off to do the color. Your set may have a color temperature setting which should be on low or 6500K. Cyan and Magenta should look correct when the color is set right. If you have the $2 filter from the THX website they will look the same when you look through the paper filter glasses (because on a properly setup display both cyan and magenta contain the same amount of blue).
The only compicated part is that each input type (UHF, composite, S-video, Component, and HDMI) have their own unique calibrations. If you use the disk with test patterns, just note what you set it to and change all the other inputs to be similar and check them out - hopefully they'll be the same. On top of that, some sets use different unique calibrations for each format (480i, 720p, 1080i, etc.)
Hope that helps.
Your picture quality will change for the better when you get HD.
When you get HD you will need to connect the set top box to the TV with either Component or HDMI cable. Component uses the 3 connectors (that are usually marked with red, green, and blue). HDMI is a single cable.
Digital broadcast does not mean HD. The cable company transmit in digital so they can give you more features and/or channels. You will need a set top box that will send HD format to your TV.
You don't necessarily need an HDMI cable to view HD. Component cables can carry an HD signal too up to 1080i which is the highest that the cable company will broadcast. HDMI can carry 1080p which some HD DVD players or HD Video Game Consoles can produce.
Having an HD box is a vast improvement over the standard box, especially if you have a bigger screen.
In the meantime, until you get your HD box, there are a couple minor adjustments you can make to your TV setup. The first is to switch cables if you need to and the second is to check the calibration of your TV.
Switch to component cables if your box has component output. If your box doesn't have component output, check to see if you have S-video outputs. S-video is better than the one yellow RCA looking connector that is called composite. The worst setup you can have is to connect the TV to the box with a coax cable. Step up to either S-video or the 3-signal component (better).
Next, slip in a video test pattern disk. You probably already have one and don't know it. Any DVD with the THX logo on it will have the video test patterns (e.g. Disney's Ice Age 2). Go into the setup menu and choose "THX optimizer". You want to check your set for contrast, brightness, and color. The brightness and contrast are interactive. Think of the intensity of each pixel on your TV as a number from 1-10. If the contrast and brightness is off, you many not get the full range of intensity your set is capable of. The contrast changes the overall range and the brightness offsets it. For example, if your contrast is set too low to say, in this example an 8, you may only be able to display 8/10 of the possible intensities. Setting the brightness up may allow you to see the intensities from 3 to 10 or setting the brightness too low will allow you to see intensities from 1 to 8.
The video test pattern of THX Optimizer shows a white rectangle within a black background. Inside the white rectangle are 8 separate squares of different shades of white. The contrast should be as high as possible while still being able see the 8 separate squares. The contrast is interactive with brightness. The brightness test pattern has 10 shades as well and if the brightness is correct only 7 should be visible, with the 7th just barely visible. You'll have to go back and forth between the two adjustments and narrow in on the correct setting. You'll know you are done when you don't have to tweak either one. Then you're off to do the color. Your set may have a color temperature setting which should be on low or 6500K. Cyan and Magenta should look correct when the color is set right. If you have the $2 filter from the THX website they will look the same when you look through the paper filter glasses (because on a properly setup display both cyan and magenta contain the same amount of blue).
The only compicated part is that each input type (UHF, composite, S-video, Component, and HDMI) have their own unique calibrations. If you use the disk with test patterns, just note what you set it to and change all the other inputs to be similar and check them out - hopefully they'll be the same. On top of that, some sets use different unique calibrations for each format (480i, 720p, 1080i, etc.)
Hope that helps.
Would the brand of an HDTV affect the picture quality?
nmagny
For example: I have an LCD High Definition TV by LG...would the picture look better on an LCD High Def TV by lets say, Samsung?
I appreciate all answers, and I WILL choose a BEST ANSWER.
Would LG be considered a good brand?
Ftlbear,
I wouldn't be able to really choose which is better by looking at all of them in the shop. Not all of them receive HD signals, so some of the Tvs look like standard tvs...
I won't be able to figure a difference if some are in HD and some are in standard.
Also, how would the quality change if they both have the same amount of pixels?
If the tvs have the same amount of pixels but are different brands, shouldn't they still have a clear, sharp display?
Answer
Hi, I have been researching on HDTV over the year. Seriously speaking, Sony and Panasonic are always in the top league of the LCD tvs. Any of their models can win any brands of LCD easily. However, things seems to have changed, Samsung seems to have break through on its new R74BD series as it squeezes into the Top 3 of the LCD brands in "What Video". "What Video", a HDTV magazine with over 25 years of tv reviewing history, with its own lab and its unique equipment, they test the TRUE specification of almost every models of HDTV there's in the market. Since u only asks about LCDs in your question, I will suppose that u understands their differences and will only talk about LCD tv here. =)
First I would like to highlight that, never believe in the stats that the brands claimed except for the resolution. Gradution[Grey Scaling, or also called black levels], contrast ratio and brightness of the tv, are always boast by the brands. When tested in "What Video" a Panasonic plasma with 3000:1 claimed contrast ratio seems to have much better ratio than a Samsung plasma with 10,000:1 claimed contrast ratio. Trust me, only look at the brands and resolution when looking for a HDTV. =)
Secondly, never listen to what a saleman recommend, they only recommend those tvs with higher comission for them to u.
Lastly I would say that different brands surpass others in different way. Panasonic, a brand that ALWAYS produce tvs with AMAZING black levels, easily surpass ALL brands of tv in the black level aspect. Motion artefact is definitely not a problem to Panasonic too, they handle that very well. However, Panasonic Tvs still slightly losses to Sony's when compare to sharpness. But it's up to u that whether u decide to have a sharper image with some motion artefacts, or one with almost no motion artefact but with a slightly inferior in its sharpness. Oh and btw, Panasonic's color is slightly better/more natural than Sony's too. To make it short, NEVER buy any LCD tvs besides Sony, Panasonic, Loewe, Toshiba* and Samsung*. Their tests result are the best among so many brands.
*only their new models are good-Toshiba WLT66 and Samsung R74BD series.
Oh and keep in mind if u want totally future proof your tv, look for 1920x1080 resolution which supports up to 1080p. There isn't much tvs with 1920x1080 resolution which supports up to 1080p in the market yet. So here's some recommendation from me(but they are not 1080p compatible). =)
Toshiba WLT66 - Take this if u prefer its price n design, its a decent one with a resolution of 1920x1080, it doesn't support 1080p though. Strange huh. Not recomended if u still watching SD signals.
Any Sony's Bravia Series-They are consider "Godly" in the LCD league. I heard that's one that supports 1080p is out recently. But its review is not out yet, can't tell u how good it is now. =)
Panasonic LXD50/60-It has a built-in recorder if I remember correctly. Panasonic's black levels are always unbeatable. Its motion is almost perfect without any noise too.
Samsung R74BD-Its a decent LCD tv, it might not be as good as Panasonic and Sony, but it definitely wins them in its price! It's VERY cheap considering this is a good LCD tv. Check out its price in your country. =)
Edit after tm_mcdnnll has posted below:
What tm_mcdnnll said "Never having anything to do with the manufacturing" is definitely not true. Why is it only LG's LCD has the XD Engine? Why is it Panasonic is the only one having Viera Color Management? Why only some brands has the Ambient Light Control? Why is it Philips the only one that has the Pixal Plus Technology? Those above are only part of the examples. HOW one brand makes a LCD is very important. Although we didn't know HOW they make it, but still the fact that different brands produced different "quality" of LCDs using same chipsets from the same company is definitely true. Therefore brand is really very important. Get a copy of "What Video" if u wish to know more. =)
Hi, I have been researching on HDTV over the year. Seriously speaking, Sony and Panasonic are always in the top league of the LCD tvs. Any of their models can win any brands of LCD easily. However, things seems to have changed, Samsung seems to have break through on its new R74BD series as it squeezes into the Top 3 of the LCD brands in "What Video". "What Video", a HDTV magazine with over 25 years of tv reviewing history, with its own lab and its unique equipment, they test the TRUE specification of almost every models of HDTV there's in the market. Since u only asks about LCDs in your question, I will suppose that u understands their differences and will only talk about LCD tv here. =)
First I would like to highlight that, never believe in the stats that the brands claimed except for the resolution. Gradution[Grey Scaling, or also called black levels], contrast ratio and brightness of the tv, are always boast by the brands. When tested in "What Video" a Panasonic plasma with 3000:1 claimed contrast ratio seems to have much better ratio than a Samsung plasma with 10,000:1 claimed contrast ratio. Trust me, only look at the brands and resolution when looking for a HDTV. =)
Secondly, never listen to what a saleman recommend, they only recommend those tvs with higher comission for them to u.
Lastly I would say that different brands surpass others in different way. Panasonic, a brand that ALWAYS produce tvs with AMAZING black levels, easily surpass ALL brands of tv in the black level aspect. Motion artefact is definitely not a problem to Panasonic too, they handle that very well. However, Panasonic Tvs still slightly losses to Sony's when compare to sharpness. But it's up to u that whether u decide to have a sharper image with some motion artefacts, or one with almost no motion artefact but with a slightly inferior in its sharpness. Oh and btw, Panasonic's color is slightly better/more natural than Sony's too. To make it short, NEVER buy any LCD tvs besides Sony, Panasonic, Loewe, Toshiba* and Samsung*. Their tests result are the best among so many brands.
*only their new models are good-Toshiba WLT66 and Samsung R74BD series.
Oh and keep in mind if u want totally future proof your tv, look for 1920x1080 resolution which supports up to 1080p. There isn't much tvs with 1920x1080 resolution which supports up to 1080p in the market yet. So here's some recommendation from me(but they are not 1080p compatible). =)
Toshiba WLT66 - Take this if u prefer its price n design, its a decent one with a resolution of 1920x1080, it doesn't support 1080p though. Strange huh. Not recomended if u still watching SD signals.
Any Sony's Bravia Series-They are consider "Godly" in the LCD league. I heard that's one that supports 1080p is out recently. But its review is not out yet, can't tell u how good it is now. =)
Panasonic LXD50/60-It has a built-in recorder if I remember correctly. Panasonic's black levels are always unbeatable. Its motion is almost perfect without any noise too.
Samsung R74BD-Its a decent LCD tv, it might not be as good as Panasonic and Sony, but it definitely wins them in its price! It's VERY cheap considering this is a good LCD tv. Check out its price in your country. =)
Edit after tm_mcdnnll has posted below:
What tm_mcdnnll said "Never having anything to do with the manufacturing" is definitely not true. Why is it only LG's LCD has the XD Engine? Why is it Panasonic is the only one having Viera Color Management? Why only some brands has the Ambient Light Control? Why is it Philips the only one that has the Pixal Plus Technology? Those above are only part of the examples. HOW one brand makes a LCD is very important. Although we didn't know HOW they make it, but still the fact that different brands produced different "quality" of LCDs using same chipsets from the same company is definitely true. Therefore brand is really very important. Get a copy of "What Video" if u wish to know more. =)
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